There is ample evidence—but not proof—that more Americans are Democrats than are Republicans. According to various polls, half of all America voters identify themselves as Democrats or Democratic leaners whereas only 39 to 44 percent (depending on the poll) call themselves Republicans or lean to the GOP.
So why do Republicans win elections? Because so many eligible Democratic voters don’t vote. Some are prevented by gerrymandering or voting rules designed to discourage or prevent voting; many, especially minority members, believe that their vote won’t make any difference. A few simply don’t care.
I’m a strong believer that voting is a civic responsibility. And it is clear to me that the reason why the working class is so often deprived to the benefit of the well-to-do is because the rich vote when the poor don’t. We all need to commit to voting for the good of all.
That means, among other things, that we need to make voting as easy as possible. And we need to abolish the electoral college which allows candidates who lose the popular vote to win an election (Donald Trump, for example).
The time has come for the U.S. to mature. We must work to correct our flaws (e.g., our devotion to firearms, our huge prison population, our choice to make health care a way to earn money rather than a right) and join the advanced nations of the world in making life better for our citizens. To get there from here, we all need to vote.
I believe we are already on our way. Almost 160 million people voted in last November’s election, more than in any year since 1900. And we elected a progressive administration that will improve the lives of our majority, the middle and lower class members.
We’ve made a strong beginning. Now let’s expand it.
Tom Glenn, Writer 